Common & frequently asked Youth Hostel questions

Our Youth hostels are much more than a good quality budget accommodation that offers a comfortable night's sleep in a friendly surrounding at an affordable price. Youth hostels are international. And characterized by an open and tolerant atmosphere. International youth exchanges in Greek Youth hostels promote social and intercultural learning, tolerance and international understanding. These hostels also provide the perfect way to get to know the country and meet many like-minded travellers. Hostels offer a wide range of accommodation including shared rooms (either single sex or mixed) and private rooms. Private rooms are becoming increasingly popular at our hostels, making hostels open to families and couples as well as individuals and groups.

Our youth hostels in Greece are open for all people. For Greek Youth Hostels there is no restriction on "members only". The rates quoted assume guests which are non-members of Hostelling International or Greek Youth Hostels Association. A membership, however, offers you 10% saving on the cost of your accommodation. The membership fee is as a donation to a non-profit organisation, therefore every member makes a contribution, preserves and supports the work of International Youth Hostels. HI eMembership can be purchased online.

The well-established HI Assured Standards set out the levels of welcome, comfort, cleanliness, security and privacy you can expect in any HI hostel, anywhere in the world, and ensure that you have a great hostel experience. The Greek Youth Hostels Association accepts these standards and recommends to its hostels-members in Greece to apply as well for the HI-Q, the HI Quality Management System, which focuses on hostel management and operations.

Breakfast is not always included. The booking of half board and full board can be possible. The aim of our sustainability program is to protect our natural environment. Therefore we pay particular attention to the use of local and regional products and offer traditional Greek dishes. Information about board will be displayed on the hostel page. For details on this please check with your hostel directly.

Of course we will try to fulfil your wishes. We have no issues with people who avoid certain foods because of their ethnic background or because they are vegetarian or vegan. Or have other dietary habits. But please, remember to let us know in good time.

Bed linen will usually be provided by the hostel and will either be included in the price or will be an additional cost. This information will be displayed on the hostel page. Sleeping bags are not always permitted at our hostels due to hygiene regulations. Please check before travelling.

Youth hostels are ideal for meeting new people and you can find communal facilities such as a common room, a self-catering kitchen, bar, restaurant, library, TV room, laundry facilities. Several hostels also offer many services such as internet access and activities - and of course the advice of local staff. The specific amentities and facilities that each hostel provides can be found on the hostel's page.

Generally, large city hostels are open 24 hours a day, while others may have shorter opening hours and some, especially in Greece, may even close for a short period during the day. Most hostels are open all year round; however, some of our hostels are seasonal and are unavailable at certain times during the year. The information regarding the hostel’s opening times and dates are available on our website. If you are unable to find this information, please check with the hostel directly for assistance.

The Greek Youth Hostels Association welcomes everyone, regardless of their age, nationality, gender, religion or ideological orientation. Families are welcome to stay in our hostels, but please check with the hostel directly, as certain conditions may apply, for example, you may need to book a private room. Groups (10+ people) are also welcome in many of our hostels and specially catered for.

Children with their family or group leader are welcome to stay at our hostels. Unaccompanied young people under the age of 18 will usually need to provide permission from a legal guardian, if they wish to stay in a Greek Youth hostel. Families with young children or groups of minors will usually stay in a private room rather than a shared room. Please contact the hostel directly before booking, if you require further information.

Our Youth hostels are an excellent base for discovering hidden gems, thanks to the owners' deep local knowledge. We are very happy to provide insider tips about the local area and environment and offer you an authentic version of Greece off-the-beaten-path and a connection with local and rural culture and its people. Many hostels organise a wide range of interesting activities themselves. If trips or activities are not organised directly by the hostels, they can provide you with information to get the most out of your stay. All about the hostel activities you find on the hostel page.

Some of our hostels provide access for wheelchair users and specially adapted rooms. We recommend you contact the hostel for specific details before making a booking as many hostels are located in historic and rural buildings which cannot easily be adapted to full wheelchair accessibility.

The safety and security of our guests is extremely important to us. Some of our hostels have lockers in rooms where you can leave your valuables. Those hostels which do not have the locker facilities in the room usually have a reception safe in which they allow guests to leave their valuables. We recommend our customers to make sure, they have adequate travel insurance before they travel.

If you need directions to get to your Youth hostel, please use the detailled direction information and the map which can be found on the individual hostel pages. There you will find as well information about public transportation like airports or harbors. And villages and cities nearby. If you have any questions about reaching your chosen hostel or wish for transfer, please check with the hostel directly.